Back to School Special: Jewish Life on Campus - The Hillel Story
Summary
In this back-to-school special, hosts Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove and John Frankel interview three campus rabbis—Ari Israel, Jessica Kirshner, and Rachel Isaacs—about Jewish life in higher education. They share personal origin stories and discuss their roles in fostering community, addressing post-October 7th challenges, and navigating campus politics. The rabbis emphasize building relationships over counting numbers, highlighting how Hillel serves as a vital space for identity, safety, and interfaith engagement.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Common Faith and Jewish life on campus
Host's personal story of discovering Hillel
Guest introductions and their paths to becoming Hillel rabbis
Defining the role of a Hillel rabbi and community building
Impact of October 7th on campus Jewish life and antisemitism
Navigating university relations and faculty engagement
Commercial break and show recap
Campus political climate and student resilience
College selection, Jewish population stats, and commuter students
Speed round: Favorite Hillel memories and closing thoughts
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